Submarine mine



Mar. 2Q 1923 1,448,976 W. F. PALMER SUBMARINE MINE Filed Nov. 1'7, 1919 5 sheets-sheet 1 Mar.20,1923. 1,448,976

W. F. PALMER A SUBMARINE MINE Filed Nov. 17, 1919 5 sheetssheet 2 Mar. 20, 1923.

1,448,976 W. F, PALMER SUBMARINE MINE Filed Nov. 17, 1919 5 sheetssheet 4 57 Haven/tot I Mar. 20, 1923. 1,448,976 W. F. PALMER SUBMARINE MINE Filed Nov. 17, 1919 5 sheets-sheet 5 z lm 5] w be/wto z Patented Mar. 2%, i923.

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WAYNE IE. PALMER, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

SUIBIEEARINE MINE.

Applicationfiled November 17, 1919. Serial No. 338,719.

T all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WAYNE F. PALMER,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, District of Columbia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Submarine Mines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in submarine mines and more particularly to firin mechanism of the single magnetic need e type particularly adapted for ground mines.

One of the objects of the present inventionis to rovide a simple and practical firing mec anism for submarine mines which will be reliable and efiicient in use and operation.

A further object is to provide a mecha nism. of the above character which will be safe to handle and launch and free from danger of premature firing for a reasonable length of time after launching.

A further object is to provide amine of the above character which cannot be countermine'd. p

A further object is to provide a simple and compact operating mechanism having relatively few parts which may be inexpensively manufactured and assembled.

A further object is to provide a mine of the above character which, when thrown into the water will light-right side up and Without a violent jar.

A further object is to provide a mine which will meet the peculiar demands of. the offensive mine. Ofl'ensive mines must be chors require small stowage space -light' in weight-easily carried in large quantities and cannot be swept or salved byen'emyq A further object is to provide a mine ofthe above character givinga much larger .radiu's' of action than the contact type.-

' A further object is to provide a,mine' of 'th e-above-eharacter having a delayed action In all of these,

Summarizing the advantages of detonator which will guaranteethat some partof any ship influencing the magnetic needle will be within the effective radius of the explosive. I Other objects will be in part obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out in connection with the accompanying drawin sshowing one of the various possible modi cations. In these drawings wherein similar reference characters denote corresponding parts,

F igure 1,"is a sectional elevational view of such parts of acomplete mine as are necessary to fully understand the invention,

showing the parachute for retarding. its

sinking whereby it lands right side up without jarring.

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of the complete system.

Figure 3 is a detail sectional View of the anti counter-mining feature ready for functionlng.

Figure 4 is a Figure 3. v

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view of the magnetic contact device in safety position.

Figu with the parts in armed position.

detail view "of a part of Figure 7 is a detail plan view of apart of a magnetic firing mechanlsm.

F igu part of the setting mechanism.

Figure 9 is a detailsectional view of the primer extender mechanism.-

I igure- 10 is a detail perspective view of the needle contacts in disassembled'position. Referring-now to the drawings in detail re 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 v re 8 is a detail sectional view ofa and more particularly to Figures 1 and 2, p

the parts may be preferablydescribed in groups in which. A designates the magnetic compass chamber hereinafter described more in detail in connection with Figures 5 and 6. B denotes the setting mechanism adapted to go into operation after the mine is launched wherein a relative upward movement of the plunger takes place to set the compass mechanism A and theanti-counter-mining feature 0 shown in detail in Figure 3, to ,actuate the primer extender D shown in g re 9 by moving the detonator downwardly into-operative position with respect to the booster charge E.

The second feature B comprises a cylinder.

ring 12.

cylinder is ed with 1 provided Wltlla piston ll'adaptedto be ,urged upwardly by means of The upper part of t e a suitable non-freezing, non-corrosive heavy which also causes a lever 17 to move about a slotted pivot 18 producing a downward movement of the primer extender rod 20. This rod 20 is connected with a suitable lazy tong device 21 to move a detonator 22 lever 27 having a slotted pivot connection 28 with the stem 30 supported from the mine casing als moves a rod 31 relatively upwards to actuate a pet-cock lever 32 associated with the counter-mining device illustrated in Figure 3. This counter-mining device comprises a chamber 33 c6ifipletely filled with any non-freezing, non-corrosive liquid and having a diaphragm 34 at one end exposed to sea-water pressure. C011 nected with the chamber is an auxiliary chamber 35 having a ball valve 36 .t the lower part and a plunger 37 normally urged downward by spring 38 to close contacts 40 and 41 at the upper end thereof. The

- ball 36 is seated in a concave seat '42, Figure 4, provided with small grooves 43 thereby to permit leakage past the ball 36.- Thus, when the mine is launched, the petcock 32 is open and as the hydrostatic pressure forces in the diaphragm the liquid flows out of the anti-counter-miner by this pet-cock. hen the pet-cock is closed, there remains in the anti-counter-miner a confined liquid free from air. 7

If the mine is now subjected to a sudden violent hydrostatic pressure, as occurs in counter-mining, this ball 36 permits the noncorrosive, non-freezing fluid within the chamber 38 to move upwardly past the ball and force the plunger 37 relatively upwards and break the contacts 40 and 41. In. this manner, if the magnetic firing mechanism should'accidentally complete contact due to counter-mining, the circuit would be broken at 40 and 41 and prevent a firing of the detonator. The magnetic contact device is shown more clearly in Figures 5. 6 and 10. A

chamber 44 is mounted on suitable trunnions 45. A receptacle '47, Figure 8, con- -tains a non-corrosive, non-freezing fluid stem 51 is adapted to be engaged by the end .or other buoyant member 56 relatively upwards or to the position shown in Figure 6. This float has a plurality of arms 57 adapted to engage the under side of a non-magnetic member 60 which is provided with a squared recess 61 normally resting on insulated squared post 62 of the magnetic member 63 adapted to be mounted on needle point '64 as shown in Figure 10. Before armingnon-magnetic needle 60 and mag netic needle 63 are free to swing with their hdrizontal axes in the same vertical plane. After arming, the non-magnetic member 60 is raised free from the squared post 62 and is held stationary. The magnetic member 63 is still'free t gyrate in response to any magnetic influence. .The member 60 has at its opposite ends arms 65 extending downward adapted to be positioned normally at either side of the member 63 but out of contact therewith. These members 60 and 63 are respectively connected with opposite wires 66 and 67 of the electrical circuit shown in Figure 2. Thus, whenany magnetic disturbance occurs, as by the relatively close approach of a steel ship, the magnetic member 63 rotates relative to the non-magnetic member 60, causing contact with the arms 65 and a completion of the circuit which fires the detonator and mine. 3

Classes of ships and even ships within a class will vary in the intensity of their influence on the magnetic needle. This is immaterial, excepting in cases where particularly strong magnetism'in a ship may ,cause the mine to fire while all parts of the ship are still outside of an effective radius of the explosive, All possibility of premature firing may be overcome by any one of the following modifications (a) Vary the strength of" magnetism of the magnetic needle.

(6) Increase the weight of the magnetic needle. V

(0) Increase/the friction of the'mag'netic needle bearing.

(01) Use a slow-burning detonator.

(6) Introduce a resistance into the firing circuit.

(f) Increase the arc in which the magnetic needle must swing to make contact.

Having thus described the above invention. the operation thereof is substantially as follows:- t --'-i When the mine is launched the plug 13 having been removed, unless a soluble plug is used, the glycerine within the cylinder B passes slowly but through the .vent by reason of the spring 12 causinga relative u ward movement of the lever 27. This is a delay action to permit'the magnetic member 63 to place its axis and that of the non-magnetic member- 60 alon the magnetic meridian before arming. T is upward movement simultaneously completes the circuit 15, opens the needle valve 48, F i re 8, allowing the nonmagnetic needle within the chamber .44 to move to armed positionas shown in Figure 6. Simultaneously, the counter-mining spill pet-cock is closed and the detonator 22 moves into a position within the booster charge E. As previously explained, a counter-mining operation will break the contact 40 and 41 before the mine can fireby contact with the magnetic members 60 and 63. If, however, a ship or magnetic body of sufficient size to afi'ect the magnets approaches the mine then a turning movement of. the member 63 takes place contact is made with-the arms 65 of the needle 60 and'the circuit through the detonator is completed. v

. From the above it will be seen a simple and practical mine is provided which will be safe to handle yet w'rllbe veryreliable and efficient in operation.

What I claim is 1. In a submarine mine, in combination, a circuit normally disconnected at a plurality of points, means adapted to close the circuit at all but one point when the mine is launched, means adapted .to close the circuit at this point when the mine is approached by a ship surrounded by a magnetic field and means adapted to break the circuit at a normally closed point when the mine is subjected to counter-mining.

2. In a submarine mine, in combination, a circuit normally open at a plurality of points, means adapted to close the circuit -when the mine is launched at all but one i point, a magnetically effected normally open circuit closer adapted to close on the approach of a magnetic body, a primer extender and means associated with said first mentioned circuit closer adapted to set the magnetic circuit closer and to move the primer from the safe to the armed position.

' 3. In a submarine mine, in combination, a

circuit closer adapted .to close on the ap-- proach of a magnetic, body, a primer extender and means asociated with said first mentioned circuit closer adapted to set the .magnetic circuit closer and to move the,

- primer from the safe to the armedposition,

mining 4. In a submarine mine, 1n combinatlon, a

and means adapted to prevent countercircuitnormally open .at .a' plurality of points, means adapted to 'close'the circuit when the .'mineis launched at'all but one point, a magnetically efiected normally open circuit closer adapted to close on the approach of a magnetic body, a primerex-if tender and'means associated with sald first" mentioned circuit closer adapted to set the magnetic circuit closer and to move the primer from'the safe to armed position, and means adapted to prevent counter-mining, said lastmentioned means including a nor-' mally closed circuit closer adapted to be opened by the concussion of' counter-mining ciated with said circuit adapted to open the circuit when the mine is subjected to concussion.

6. In a submarine mine, in combination, a circuit normally open at a plurality of points, a magnetically efl'ected circuit closer in i the circuit and normally open, means adapted to close the circuit at all other points when the mine-is launched, means adapted to set the magnetic circuit closer when the mineis launched, a counter-mine device associated with said circuit adapted to open the circuit when the mine is subjected to concussion and means associated .with said circuit closer operative on launch ing of the mine to set said counter-mining member. r

7. In a submarine mine, in combination, a circuit normally open at a plurality of points, a magnetically efi'ected circuit closer in the circuit and normally open, means adapted toclose the circuit at all other points when the mine is launched, means adapted to set the magnetic circuit closer when the mine-is launched, a counter-mine device associated with said circuit adapted to open the circuit when the mine is subjected to concussion, means associated with said circuit closer operative on launching of the mine to set said counter-mining member and a primer extender located in said mine and adapted to be operated on launching of the mine.

8. In a submarine mine, in combination, a circuit normally open at a plurality of L points, a magnetic circuit closer in the circuit and normally open and adapted to be operated by the approach. of a ship and means operated on launching the mine adapted to close the circuit at "*all .other points and set said magnetically operated circuit closen 9. In a submarine mine, in combination, a circuit normally open at a plurality of points, a magnetic circuit closer in the circuit and normally open and adapted tobe operated by the approach of a ship and means operated on launching the mine adapted to close the circuit at all other points and set said magnetically operated circuit closer, said magnetically operated circuit closer including a floating body, a magnetic needle, 21 non-magnetic needle and means for admitting fluid as the mine is launched to the receptacle forsaid floating body.

10. In a submarine mine, in combination, a circuit normally open at a plurality of points, a magnetic circuit closer in the circuit and normally open and adapted to be operated by the approach of a ship and means operated on launching the mine adapted to close the circuit at another point and set said magnetically operated circuit closer, said magnetically operated circuit closer including a floating magnetized body, means for admitting fluid to the receptacle for said floating magnetized body as the mine is launched and means adapted to break the circuit when said mine is subjected to counter-mining whereby the circuit can not be closed by said magnetized circuit closer.

11. In a submarine mine, in combination, a circuit normally open at a plurality of points, a magnetically operated circuit closer and a mechanically operated circuit, closerand means whereby said mechanically operated circuit closer goes into operation after the mine is launched to set said magnetically operated circuit closer, said means including a lever and a member operated by said lever adapted to set into operation the setting means for said magnetically operated circuit closer. V

12. In a submarine mine, in combination, a circuit normally open at a plurality of points, a magnetically operated circuit closer, a mechanically operated circuit closer' and means whereby said mechanically operated circuit closer goes into operation after the mine is launched to set said magnet-ioall operated circuit closer, said means ineluding a lever and a member operated by said lever adapted to set into operation the setting means for said magnetically operated circuit closer and a primer extender adapted to be operated by movement of said lever.

13. In a submarine mine, in combination, a circuit normally open at a plurality of points, a magnetically operated circuit closer, a mechanically operated circuit closer and means whereby said mechanically operated circuit closer goes into operation after the mine is launched to set said magnetically operated circuit closer, said meansincluding a lever and a member operated by said lever adapted to set into operation the setting means for said magnetically operated circuit closer and a counter-mine device adapted to be set by movement of said lever.

14. In a submarine mine, in combination, a circuit normally open at a plurality of points, a magnetically operated circuit closer, a mechanically operated circuit closer and means whereby said mechanically operated circuit closer goes into operation after the mine is launched to set said magnetically operated circuit closer, said means including a lever and a member operated by said lever adapted to set into operation the setting means for said automatically operated circuit closer, a counter-mine device adapted to be set by movement of said lever and a primer extender connected with said lever whereby as the circuit closes said primer is moved into armed position.

Signed at Washington, District of Colum-. bia, this twenty-third day of September,

WAYNE F. PALMER. 

